Sumy District Council Document on Kursk Occupation Declared a Hoax
A document that circulated on social media on Thursday, allegedly issued by the Sumy District Council, called for the inclusion of currently occupied districts within Russia's Kursk region into Ukraine. The document, titled "Decisions of the Eighth Convocation of the Twenty-Ninth Session of the Sumy District Council dated Aug. 8," purportedly claimed parts of Kursk, including the city of Sudzha and its surrounding district, as territories of the Sumy region of Ukraine.
The document, which was posted on Ukraine's Real War Telegram channel and other platforms, appeared authentic at first glance. However, its satirical tone raised suspicions, and the Sumy District Council quickly confirmed that the proclamation was a hoax. The council stated that it had not convened on Thursday, that no such decision was made, and that it would not be within its authority to make such a declaration even if it had met.
Despite being a fabrication, the document resonated with many Ukrainians who share the sentiment behind the claim. It cited historical reasons for the alleged claim to the northeastern region, written in a manner that parodied the justifications President Vladimir Putin has used for the annexation of Crimea and parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
The "Sumy declaration" asserted that Sudzha, founded in the 17th century, was once part of the Sumy Regiment of the Ukrainian Free Cossack Regiments. It also referenced a supposed decree issued by the President of Ukraine on Jan. 22, 2024, titled "On the Territories of the Russian Federation Historically Populated by Ukrainians." This decree allegedly called on Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers to develop a plan to preserve the national identity of Ukrainians living in Russia, including in historically Ukrainian lands.
The hoax document outlined four action items, including the acceptance of Sudzha and its district as part of the Sumy region of Ukraine, to be known as the "Sudzhа Territorial Community." It also proposed holding a referendum and elections for state and local authorities within this newly claimed territory.
While the document itself was fake, its appearance reflects ongoing tensions and the complex historical narratives being used in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.